Wednesday, 13 July 2011
July's ride to Dalkeith
View 2011-07-09 10:31 20_milers in a larger map
Fifteen 20-milers braved the climate for Ken's outing. Their courage and/or foolhardiness was well rewarded - the sun broke through and shone down on the whole run. From the usual starting place at Middle Meadow Walks, we ran down Queen's park past Dynamic Earth, then a quick uphill puff to Willowbrae Road and the Piershill cemetery.
Pausing to honour the Craigentinny marbles, we then returned to the Fishwives Causeway and on to Portobello promenade and so to Musselburgh, where a quick whizz along the West bank of the Esk took us along the Inveresk paths behind Mus. Golf club. From there we spun along Cowpits Road to Whitecraigs and then on into the Dalkieth Country park.
A very pleasant Lunch ensued in the Stables Bistro in the Park, after which Ken took us past the famous play area and along some rarely trodden tracks around the interior of the Park, emerging to rejoin the Innocent near Old Craighall and a breezy return ride back to the tunnel, where folk went their separate ways.
No punctures, and sunshine throughout, provided that is that you cycled home reasonably quickly, unlike your scribe who spent too long at the Canal Festival afterwards and had to dodge the lightning bolts on the way home.
Cheers and hope to see you all next run (13Aug)
Ride led by Ken
Report by Jim
Saturday, 2 July 2011
30milers to Jupiter Artland
A dozen people decided they didn't have anything better to do this fine sunny day (so different to June's weather!) and came along on the 30 mile ride to Jupiter Artland, near Ratho.
We started off heading out of town along a novel route - not involving the canal - to Harrison Park and Shandon, then wiggled our way through Stenhouse to the cycle path along the new tram route (lots of rusting rails...), into Edinburgh Park briefly and under the bypass then out to Ratho and beyond along the canal. We got as far as an aqueduct then carried our bike down some steps and then cycled up the first hill of the day, through some quiet country roads and arrived at Jupiter Artland around 12 - superspeed!
View Jul11 30milers to Jupiter Artland in a larger map
We enjoyed an excellent lunch in the sun, and some people took a few minutes to wander around the "public" areas (i.e. the bits by the road you don't pay to see!) and enjoy the sculptures.
After lunch we headed back to town, along route 75 for a fair distance (Long Dalmahoy Road) - we had to climb hill 2 to get there though, through Heriot Watt and then along Donkey Lane and across the West Coast main line (not something I'd want to do with a much bigger group - although we had it fairly swift and efficient, people did get bunched up on the "railway" side a couple of times and we had to slow the flow). Then up the third (and trickiest) hill of the day - it was quite a rough surface and we were tired (well I was anyway)! and then it was downhill all the way by the Water of Leith and the canal.
We were back in the centre around 3pm - just goes to show that smaller groups move faster - we've been considerably later than that on a 20miler ride.
We started off heading out of town along a novel route - not involving the canal - to Harrison Park and Shandon, then wiggled our way through Stenhouse to the cycle path along the new tram route (lots of rusting rails...), into Edinburgh Park briefly and under the bypass then out to Ratho and beyond along the canal. We got as far as an aqueduct then carried our bike down some steps and then cycled up the first hill of the day, through some quiet country roads and arrived at Jupiter Artland around 12 - superspeed!
View Jul11 30milers to Jupiter Artland in a larger map
We enjoyed an excellent lunch in the sun, and some people took a few minutes to wander around the "public" areas (i.e. the bits by the road you don't pay to see!) and enjoy the sculptures.
After lunch we headed back to town, along route 75 for a fair distance (Long Dalmahoy Road) - we had to climb hill 2 to get there though, through Heriot Watt and then along Donkey Lane and across the West Coast main line (not something I'd want to do with a much bigger group - although we had it fairly swift and efficient, people did get bunched up on the "railway" side a couple of times and we had to slow the flow). Then up the third (and trickiest) hill of the day - it was quite a rough surface and we were tired (well I was anyway)! and then it was downhill all the way by the Water of Leith and the canal.
We were back in the centre around 3pm - just goes to show that smaller groups move faster - we've been considerably later than that on a 20miler ride.
Saturday, 11 June 2011
June just rains and never stops...
It rained all day today, pretty much from the moment I stepped outside my flat. I failed to bring waterproof trousers or spare gloves, so by the end of 20 miles of rain I was well and truly soaked. Well done to all the 13 other brave souls who turned up today. We all got rather cold and wet!
Our route today (I was leading) went down the Mound and along George Street, then onto quieter roads down Dublin Street and from there to the "Tesco Tunnel" - officially the Rodney Street Tunnel of course. Apart from our short ride in March when it was snowing, this was the first time we'd been through on a proper ride - and its shelter was much appreciated! From there we went on down the Warriston Path to Leith's Shore, and then across the Links (the festival was on today and probably suffered with the weather too) and up Easter Road to the Lochend railway path which has recently been resurfaced - and a great improvement it is. We lost one person at Seafield (but found him again) and then wended our way through Craigentinny, along the Fishwives' Causway (another 20milers first I think) and through an industrial estate to Portobello golf course. More wiggling took us to Route 1 at Brunstane, then on via Newhailes, Stoneybank Estate and into Musselburgh for lunch. Most of us found our lunch at the Burgh Cafe which coped remarkably well with an unannounced group of soggy cyclists.
After lunch our route was more straightforward: back along the River Esk (along Route 1), past Musselburgh station (where a couple of cyclists had a minor collision with another cyclist - bruises all round tomorrow I fear) and then we turned under the bypass up Whitehill Road and past Kinnaird Fort, Asda and then back onto Route 1 and all the way back to the start.
View June 2011 to Musselburgh in a larger map
Our route today (I was leading) went down the Mound and along George Street, then onto quieter roads down Dublin Street and from there to the "Tesco Tunnel" - officially the Rodney Street Tunnel of course. Apart from our short ride in March when it was snowing, this was the first time we'd been through on a proper ride - and its shelter was much appreciated! From there we went on down the Warriston Path to Leith's Shore, and then across the Links (the festival was on today and probably suffered with the weather too) and up Easter Road to the Lochend railway path which has recently been resurfaced - and a great improvement it is. We lost one person at Seafield (but found him again) and then wended our way through Craigentinny, along the Fishwives' Causway (another 20milers first I think) and through an industrial estate to Portobello golf course. More wiggling took us to Route 1 at Brunstane, then on via Newhailes, Stoneybank Estate and into Musselburgh for lunch. Most of us found our lunch at the Burgh Cafe which coped remarkably well with an unannounced group of soggy cyclists.
After lunch our route was more straightforward: back along the River Esk (along Route 1), past Musselburgh station (where a couple of cyclists had a minor collision with another cyclist - bruises all round tomorrow I fear) and then we turned under the bypass up Whitehill Road and past Kinnaird Fort, Asda and then back onto Route 1 and all the way back to the start.
View June 2011 to Musselburgh in a larger map
Friday, 3 June 2011
June's ride
This month's ride is on Saturday 11th June at 10.30am from the top of Middle Meadow Walk, as usual. I'll be leading the ride out to Musselburgh, via Leith & Portobello. The total distance is about 21 miles.
I'm hoping there won't be any snow, like the last ride I was due to lead, in March! In this warmer (hopefully) weather, it's important to bring some water or juice to keep hydrated. We won't be going fast but even a little bit of exercise causes you to perspire and lose fluid. You'll feel much better if you have some liquid refreshment on the way!
I'm hoping there won't be any snow, like the last ride I was due to lead, in March! In this warmer (hopefully) weather, it's important to bring some water or juice to keep hydrated. We won't be going fast but even a little bit of exercise causes you to perspire and lose fluid. You'll feel much better if you have some liquid refreshment on the way!
Saturday, 14 May 2011
May's ride to South Queensferry
Today's ride was to South Queensferry. We had some new participants this time - always welcome - and Logan led us out West along the canal, turning off just after the bypass and going through Roddinglaw and down to the A8, where we used the shared path along the main road out to Newbridge (crossing over on the bridge at Ratho Station) and then along the old railway line to Kirkliston, and followed this on to Dalmeny. From there we had a short trip on the road downhill into South Queensferry for lunch.
View 20milers May11 to SQueensferry in a larger map
After lunch we headed West for a short distance before finding our way onto the old railway line at Scotmid, which after a short hill to get to the supermarket leads to a gentle gradient out of town (much appreciated, given all the other routes out of SQ are generally big hills!) and then out of town past the oil tanks and back along the road to Craigiehall (past Craigie Farm) and into Edinburgh via route 1.
Next month's ride is on Saturday 11th June and I'll be leading it. Route TBC!
View 20milers May11 to SQueensferry in a larger map
After lunch we headed West for a short distance before finding our way onto the old railway line at Scotmid, which after a short hill to get to the supermarket leads to a gentle gradient out of town (much appreciated, given all the other routes out of SQ are generally big hills!) and then out of town past the oil tanks and back along the road to Craigiehall (past Craigie Farm) and into Edinburgh via route 1.
Next month's ride is on Saturday 11th June and I'll be leading it. Route TBC!
Saturday, 9 April 2011
April's ride
What happened? We missed a month? Yes. On the day of the March ride, it was snowing. Well, slushing/sleeting/snowing. Eight intrepid (foolhardy) people turned up anyway, and with my self-interest plain to see I re-planned the route to be short (about 4 miles) and include Mimi's Bakehouse in Leith again. I was the coldest and wettest and least-keen on cycling that I'd been for a good while, so after cake the group broke up and we all went home.
Today however the weather couldn't hardly have been nicer. Warm, sunny, not too windy - just perfect spring weather.
Chris led the route today out to Cammo via Corstorphine Hill and back via Cramond. Actually fairly similar to the route planned for last month, so it's good that that one was cancelled or we'd have got bored seeing the same sights again!
View 20milers to Cammo Apr11 in a larger map
Photos:
It was great to see new members coming along and hope that the hills weren't too much of a deterrent to coming back again next month (14th May), when Logan will be leading the ride out to South Queensferry.
Today however the weather couldn't hardly have been nicer. Warm, sunny, not too windy - just perfect spring weather.
Chris led the route today out to Cammo via Corstorphine Hill and back via Cramond. Actually fairly similar to the route planned for last month, so it's good that that one was cancelled or we'd have got bored seeing the same sights again!
View 20milers to Cammo Apr11 in a larger map
Photos:
 |
| April 2011 to Cammo and Cramond |
It was great to see new members coming along and hope that the hills weren't too much of a deterrent to coming back again next month (14th May), when Logan will be leading the ride out to South Queensferry.
Saturday, 5 March 2011
March's ride
Next Saturday (12th) I'll be leading the group ride - we'll be going out to Cammo via South Gyle, then along some rough & potentially muddy tracks to Cramond, where we'll have lunch at a local cafe (or bring a picnic), and then will return via the Waterfront and Leith, where we'll say hello to Cliff (man with a seagull on his head...) before returning to the start via the "Tesco Tunnel" and Route 1.
Most of the route will be on very quiet roads, cycle paths and tracks, however there are some short stretches on busy roads. There are a few small hills (plus we have to get from sea level back to the Meadows at the end of the ride, which is a fair amount of climb; mostly done gently though!)
A few tips about riding in large groups on busy roads:
Most of the route will be on very quiet roads, cycle paths and tracks, however there are some short stretches on busy roads. There are a few small hills (plus we have to get from sea level back to the Meadows at the end of the ride, which is a fair amount of climb; mostly done gently though!)
A few tips about riding in large groups on busy roads:
- never ride more than two abreast
- "clump" into groups of about 8, leaving a gap before the next group: this allows other vehicles to pass safely and reduces frustration
- clearly indicate any turns
- don't assume that because the person in front of you has carried out a manoeuver that it is safe for you to follow
- don't feel you have to rush or dash - this will just make you more stressed and more likely to make mistakes
- keep an eye out for potholes, doors opening on parked cars and other hazards
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